While others told troubling stories from the perspective of a child affected by synthetic drugs.

"Children see their parents running and hiding from things that aren't there. Children see their parents in the car driving erratically. Children see their parents arrested by police. Children see their parents lying on the floor foaming from the mouth. Children don't see their parents anymore," said Paula Stocke, St. Louis County Social Service

But Virginia Police Chief Dennis Benz says one of the biggest issues he sees with synthetics is that no one really knows what's in the product, until it's too late.

"The things that happen when you use it are unpredictable. It affects every person a little differently, we do have people that have died from this, there have been people who have died from this," said Police Chief Dennis Benz.

As the community comes together many say they're are confident the Virginia city council will quickly pass ordinances banning the substance, keeping the Queen City clean.

The Virginia City Council is leaning towards banning the sale, use and possession of synthetic drugs in the city.

The council is expected to discuss the civil penalties for the proposed ordinances at next week's finance committee meeting.